Election Q&A: Hear from the candidates for Missouri City City Council District B

Why are you running for Missouri City City Council?

I am running to continue serving the great citizens of Missouri City as their District B council member. I also wish to continue my fierce advocacy for my community in such a manner that more resources are directed our way.

What is the biggest challenge facing Missouri City and how would you address it?

The biggest challenge facing Missouri City is balancing the infrastructure and economic development/redevelopment needs we have in the city with the limited resources we have to work with. Through my role as a Houston Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) board member and as a member of the National League of Cities' Community and Economic Development Federal Advocacy Committee, I have successfully advocated for resources to come to Missouri City to address our infrastructure and economic development/redevelopment needs, and will continue to do so if re-elected.

What is your vision for the future of economic development and growth of Missouri City?

I envision a vibrant, growing and safe city. A place where businesses are profitable, residents are neighborly, and city government is transparent and fiscally responsible. We must also tell our story and showcase our great city through robust marketing tools that promote the uniqueness, diversity, and beauty of Missouri City to attract new businesses and create jobs. I am working with our new economic development director to create new programs to enhance economic development across the city. We must be proactive and strategic about working with retailers, developers, and property owners to attract the right types of developments, while finding new sales tax and revenue sources to fund our continuous growth and functionality.

What characteristics would you want in the city's next city manager?

I would want our next city manager to have substantive knowledge and experience, and want them to: 1) understand key fiscal matters relative to municipal government; 2) be well-versed in economic development and know how to get deals done without putting the city in harmu's way; 3) understand civil service; 4) effectively and proactively communicate with staff, council and the community; 5) know every aspect of municipal government; 6) are creative and a problem solver; 7) ensure accountability amongst staff without being abrasive or threatening; and 8) ensure all council members receive pertinent and critical information in a timely fashion.

Do you support the city's $85.85 million bond proposition? Why or why not?

I can't advocate for or against the bond measures in my capacity as a city council member. With that, I believe this should be in the hands of voters to decide how the city should move forward.

Why are you running for Missouri City City Council?

I want to address the needs of citizens that I have talked to. They want to see restaurants and better stores [in Missouri City rather] than having to drive to Sugar Land to spend their money.

What is the biggest challenge facing Missouri City and how would you address it?

Infrastructure. Instead of raising taxes, use the funds that are available to rebuild streets, improve traffic flow and work with the MUDs to improve the parks.

What is your vision for the future of economic development and growth of Missouri City?

I would like to see better retail stores and restaurants. Keeping the tax money here and giving the residents a place to eat would improve our tax base and give our students jobs, thereby keeping them off the streets.

What characteristics would you want in the city's next city manager?

I believe that we need a city manager who has an open mind and who is responsive to not only the city needs, but the resident's needs.

Do you support the city's $85.85 million bond proposition? Why or why not?

Having chaired the bond committee, I feel myself and the committee worked very hard to develop options that would benefit both the city and our citizens. Those options would achieve those improvements that were identified as important by our citizens. My decision for not supporting would be my concern for those citizens on fixed incomes who would be impacted by any tax increase.